Missy follows after the rest of the party as they move, glad to have lightened the situation just a little. Her eyes flicked over and she blinked as Meraati addressed her. Giving a small shrug, and an attempt at a smile in response to her question, she spoke. "I-If we get out of here alive... Th-Then yes, I'd be happy to share."
Callen bites back the shock of the grandiose offer from Gwerm. '2000 crowns, have I ever even seen such a sum? Either he is talking out of his ass, or he is very wealthy.' Composing himself, he speaks softly. "We will see you safely to your home, though I cannot guarantee what condition we will find it in. I have no great wealth of experience, but I am capable, and know my abilities. I have confidence that this company, however unexpectedly it was formed, will be able to get us to safety. I only ask that you trust us, good sir."
Seeing the others heading toward the tunnel with Nicolette at the front, he looks back up to Gwerm. "Perhaps we should be moving with them?"
Meraati gets a sad feeling vibe coming from Missy, and takes in the expression with a slightly worried look.
Keeping walking a pace matched to Missy's, she replies to what was said.
"My teacher once told me, "Do not let go of hope, if facts are not known for certain. Hope can be a powerful force that can drive people to great feats.", her ruby eyes into Missy's direction with a sympathetic smile along with it.
Perhaps she could give off some positivity to the nice halfling. She helped Meraati, so in the least she herself could try to repay the favor.
At the far side of the chamber, Aravashniel snorts derisively at Amelia's comments. ”Oh, I am sure they are scholars drawn from across Golarion. My skills with the arcane arts run far deeper than yours, though admittedly much of what I have prepared at the moment I am bereft of use given my recent wounds. If situation demands, I'm sure I could find a way to use some of it. As for these tunnels, they were no doubt cut by the Sullen River as it wove its way into the landscape thousands of years ago. Rumors have long abounded of lost and tormented souls seeking shelter below Kenabres. Perhaps we will encounter some of the Descendants of the First Crusade?” He says the last bit with a strange inflection, hinting at something further, but says no more. ”Come now, young Amelia, lead the way lest one of your new friends gets us all into more trouble.”
Back at the corpse of the giant spider, Nicolette has slid past and cautiously made her way into the front of the tunnel. After a cursory examination, she comfortably asserts there are no traps, though takes pause as she hears the faint echo of her voice descend further and further into the gaping darkness before her.
Near the base of the mountain of rubble, Horgus Gwerm looks down at the pale halfling, the paladin Kevin having joined the others at the tunnel’s maw. Still a hint of reservation on his face, he smiles slightly. ”Yes, yes, we can be moving. And I will trust in them, so long as they don’t blindly trust in that madman-” he throws a strong point at the elf Aravashniel. ”I have worked with your people in the past - surprisingly diligent and skilled despite their diminutive stature. I trust you are much the same.” The pair move close to the rest of the company, awaiting the long journey into the unknown.
Meraati gets a sad feeling vibe coming from Missy, and takes in the expression with a slightly worried look.
Keeping walking a pace matched to Missy's, she replies to what was said.
"My teacher once told me, "Do not let go of hope, if facts are not known for certain. Hope can be a powerful force that can drive people to great feats.", her ruby eyes into Missy's direction with a sympathetic smile along with it.
Perhaps she could give off some positivity to the nice halfling. She helped Meraati, so in the least she herself could try to repay the favor.
The woman blinks a bit as the woman attempts to comfort her, looking up at her... Pretty words, but what good were pretty words? The facts they knew for certain was the city got attacked, its greatest defender and holy real hope for stopping the Storm King slain, and they were all trapped in the underground. The facts didn't leave much for hope.
Meraati could probably tell she didn't buy it, even as she offered a fake smile and nod. "O-Of course. J-Just gotta... keep hopes up and all that. Th-Thank you." To try and avoid any more attempts at increasing her morale, she falls back to Anevia, intent on helping the woman keep up with the rest of the group. This would be better suited to someone taller, but she'd have to do.
To try and avoid any more attempts at increasing her morale, she falls back to Anevia, intent on helping the woman keep up with the rest of the group. This would be better suited to someone taller, but she'd have to do.
I guess it would take a miracle to lighten 'er spirits. I can't blame 'er, but alas.
Not letting her own hopes fade, she picks up pace to the rest of the group.
Nicolette allows the others to catch up, and once all in range, she will speak to them in a quiet voice so as to not to disturb what lies ahead of them.
"Now, let us keep communication to a minimum. If you feel you must speak, let us do so at a greater distance behind. I don't want to give anything living down here an indication that we are here any more than we have to. So do your best to be as silent as possible."
With that stated, she progresses out further back into the darkness and shadows of the tunnels. She doesn't feel entirely comfortable playing a scout role, but she does understand she is qualified to do so. There have been times where she has had to creep through enemy lines to bring out survivors on more than one occasion. This reminded her of that.
*+1 vs traps
"As a precaution, i can imbue a distance communication magic on you. Works up to about 120 feet."
"Perfect," she replies with a bright smile and lets Meraati cast it. Once a distance away, she will ensure it is working before heading off further.
A few words in Ignan, and Nicolette is on the other end of the phone.
Joska advances to keep herself about 60' behind Nicolette as she'd discussed with Kevin.
His bow in hand, Callen will slow his pace to allow himself to fall back slightly behind the rest of the party. As he does, he dismisses the light spell he had cast, using the other light sources of the party as ample supply. He serves as a dragging tail with eyes as much to their rear as anywhere else.
Following Nicolette's lead into the darkness, your company begins its journey down the long, winding subterranean tunnel that stretches before you. The going is slow, not only because of the rubble and loose debris scattered about, but also because of your three limited companions: Missy does her best to help Anevia along, and in truth, since your dedicated efforts to mend her wounds, she is actually moving an a relatively capable pace (all things considered). She still leans on the crutch, though not as heavily, and lets out an occasional wince or cry. Amelia continues her escorting of Aravashnial, who still seems rather disgruntled that your company is not following his direction. As such, he will move along as Amelia leads, but makes little effort to hasten his pace. Though not physically handicapped in any way, Horgus may be the most difficult to bring along, constantly grumbling about his discomfort, asking for a balancing hand to help him over the smallest boulder, and frequently requesting breaks to 'catch his breath'. It is clear he has lived a posh life, and is little used to the physical exertion you now undertake.
Over the next half hour, your company crosses a distance that Callen estimates to be a bit shy of half a mile. The tunnel winds and turns, though there have been occasional small offshoots, you have continued on what seems to be a larger, continuous path. Drawing toward a bend, Nicolette spots a larger gap to the left of the passage, with a feint green light echoing forth. Scurrying forward, you peak through the opening to draw some impression.
Glancing through the gap, you look into a tear shaped chamber, perhaps seventy feet to the far end. At the center is a squat structure of cut stone bricks, with a central mass that is thirty feet wide and fifteen feet tall, and a forward chamber thrust toward you with a massive hammer carved into the front. On the left corner of the forechamber, a single torch burns with an evergreen flame, lighting the way to a set of three stone steps up into the building.
The hammer is the symbol of Torag, the God of the Forge.
Nicolette had never been in tunnels like these. She had read about them but never experienced such wonders. It felt strange and made her ponder life as a dwarf on more than one occasion. At times, she wonders what takes the party so long to catch up to her, but then when they draw close, she can see why. The two still are not cooperating...
Such it is for half an hour until she sees a green light ahead. Before scuttling forward, she would stop and whisper to Meraati what she is seeing and for them to be extra quiet and perhaps have everyone stop until she can figure it out. Once she sees there are no enemies in this room, she whispers that the group can approach carefully and view this room tear-shaped room
"This building is devoted to Torag," she whispers. "The hammer is a symbol of the God of the Forge. I'm certain."
She observes the room in its entirety from an engineering perspective. Was it stable? Is there a door that could potentially seal them in from their end if they pass it? Is there enough space on the backside of this building that could hide additional space for foes to be lurking in this tear-shaped room?
"Make sure you follow the path I tread everyone. I will scan for traps, but if we are spread out, it is possible you may hit one. Everyone keep an eye out," she whispers before slowly slinking forward quietly a little way.
*+1traps
Callen moves up with the others while Nicolette first scouts the chamber. After her initial words are passed on, he shares what he knows. "A shrine to the Father of Creation nestled in these forgotten tunnels? This could be a good sign - there may be some access point nearby that worshippers use to come give offerings. Perhaps there is even a priest who tends to the shrine that could help us on our way?"
He is hopeful, but also knows that such fortuitous luck would be a long shot on the best of days. Not meaning to counter her advice but rather to provide cover as the others move forward, Callen stays toward the outside wall, cautiously sliding around toward the green torch and it's accompanying steps.
Missy did her best to help the woman through the caverns, cursing her own short stature and lack of ability at this moment. If she'd been a human or even if she was just more powerful with magic, this wouldn't have been an issue. At the least, she was able to move decently well on her own, unlike the other two. Really, she could not understand it. They were all likely to die, die horribly too. Yet they acted as if their previous issues mattered at all?
The discovery brought her out of her thoughts, leading her to peak at the door. "Th-This far underground? W-Without any easy way to get to it? Honestly more likely to be a tomb than a shrine... D-Dwarves do die in the crusades as well."
Meraati smiles faintly at Callen's suggestion of some potential passage.
"A passage for the faithful, that wouldn't be inconvenient. Only one way to find out."
Nicolette's knowledge of engineering is impressive, and in surveying the chamber she draws the following conclusions: the chamber itself is naturally made and stable, though at some point in the past someone cleared multiple stalagmites from the floor. There doesn't appear through any way to close the opening from this chamber out into the tunnel beyond. There does appear to perhaps be enough space behind the interior stone structure for something to hide, though by no means be a large area. Finally, she notes the wooden remains of some outer structure that may have once stood to the side of the stone shrine, though the wooden form has long since collapsed.
Meraati's consideration provides two significant possibilities. If the shrine is still staffed by a priest, they may have food stuffs, traveling supplies, and any offerings that have been left behind recently. If the shrine is abandoned, well much of that may be lacking, there could still be offerings that have been left by other travelers. And then a temple to torag, at the very least there should be crafting equipment of some kind.
Nicolette and any who are following make their way to the front of the structure and cautiously around to the door. They can vaguely make out Callen flanking around in the shadows, his bow at the ready to cover them. The door before you is a heavy wooden frames set within the stone, and the boards of the door itself seem to be twisted and warped with age and moisture. Nicolette doesn't detect any traps on the door, but checking it finds it stuck fast.
Nicolette finds what Callen says to add on as interesting.
"Hopefully!" she quickly comments and then hears Missy's reasoning. "That is possible too, I suppose. I would think if this was an active area that there would be more light than one torch."
As they round the bend of the building, she peers around into the darkness of the side that she suspected might hold some enemies. Then makes her way back to the doorway. Slowly, she checks over the door and does not see any traps.
"I'd imagine it will take some muscle to force open due to the moisture down here. That doesn't mean that it is sealed. The wood is old though..." "It's not looking good. I hope we aren't descecrating a tomb"
She will take her dagger and reach out to touch the metal of it. The blade begins to glow a golden color, and what seems like hardened wood, becomes soft and easily sliced through as she cuts away the swollen edges, making it easier for them to open.
Crafter’s Wrath (minor): At 1st level, you can touch one melee weapon and grant it greater power to harm and destroy crafted objects. For 1 minute, whenever this weapon deals damage to constructs or objects, it bypasses hardness and damage reduction.
When Joska sees Nicolette struggling with the stuck door, she goes t help.
"If you want to move aside for a second, I should be able to force it."
She puts her shoulder into a hard push against it.
Not wanting to be left exposed, Horgus scrambles in between your party as you enter the chamber. After making it in, he finds a boulder to sit on safely inside the entry, yet well back from the structure. "Do you think we should be wasting time digging around in abandoned ruins? You never know what could be waiting within…"
Anevia makes her way in with Missy, taking up a position near Horgus as the halfling moves up with Nicolette, Joska, and Meraati.
Amelia and Aravashnial remain outside the chamber, with Kevin standing at the junction.
The faint enchantment radiates from Nicolette's blade as she slowly works it around the worst of the warped boards, cutting small slivers away from the door. As she does, she also feels the tip of her blade catch and dig into what may be a bar on the inside of the door further holding it closed. She believes her blade has done some work in both easing the door and weakening that bar. Her efforts prove fruitful as Joska lowers her shoulder and pushes soundly through the door, a loud crack coming as the bar on the inside snaps.
The door swings open into the small antechamber, which has has a long bench stretching along the southern wall. In the corner adjacent to the door stands a small stone font, with cool clear water feeling its basin. At the far corner a stone door stands slightly ajar, opening into what must be the knave of the shrine.
Callen continues to scan the large chamber, looking for any potential threats. Once he is assured that none are present, he nods to Kevin who is covering the entryway, and moves up with Nicolette and the others. With the exterior door open, he stows his bow, instead taking out his shield and mace. "Let me check the inside."
Callen carefully passes through the antechamber and over to the stone door. He will check it for traps before easing it open just enough for him to slip through.
Joska moves back out of Callen's way so he can enter the room beyond. She stays just outside, waiting.
Missy joins Joska in waiting for the way to be cleared so they can enter, idly tapping her mace against her leg as she did so. This either could be an amazing boon, or something awful. Nothing really in between...
Callen slips through the stone doorway and into the chapel of the shrine. Two faint green lights glow at the front of it, one from a candle on the left corner of an altar the other from a candle that has fallen onto the ground before the altar. The altar itself looks to have some kind of dark cloth haphazardly draped over the center of it and down to the floor before it. Several rows of wooden pews line the small chapel, with an arrow walkway down each side and a central walkway down the middle. Callen slowly cautiously makes his way forward along the right flank, noting the fine craftsmanship of the wooden pews and the near perfect geometry of each stone block set in the wall. Everything is covered with dust, a thick layer suggesting years of disuse. He is just about to call back to his allies to come in, when he realizes there is a single, robed figure sitting perfectly still in the front pew on the left side of the chapel.
After several tense moments in silence, Callen takes one step forward only to see the head on the figure rotate in his direction, revealing the skeletal remains of a dwarf, clad in tattered robes, a Warhammer resting on the ground with it's haft in the dwarf's hand. It let's out a ear piercing shriek.
The undead dwarf, filled with an unnatural fear and rage, continues it shriek and charges the halfling scout, his warhammer clasped I two hands above his head.
He swings the mighty weapon down, striking Callen and knocking him backward.
Missy sees Callen get struck by the undead dwarf, and at this point... she simply rushes in to save her fellow halfling. Transfering her mace to her shield hand, she cast a spell, an aura of positive energy engulfing her hand. Then as she charged the undead, she shoved her hand out, trying to channel the energy into the poor soul.
DC = 16
Callen was unprepared for the monstrous creature's attack, and stumbles backward in pain.
Not one to give up, he brandishes his mace, and swings it deftly at the monster.
Joska isn't so quick off the mark as Missy, but she also bounds into the room when she hears the shriek and violent movement. She doesn't know what to make of the thing she sees other than it appears to already be dead even though it moves. She hopes it can be killed again.
She comes around at it from behind Missy and brings her sword down on it in a heavy chop.
Kevin recklessly runs forward and into the temple.
Nicolette stays at the doorway while it is ripped open. Surely it makes noise, but not as much as it could have. Still, the strength of Joksa is impressive to see. Callen sneaks inside the shrine and she follows in suit. He does not sneak very well, however, as she can see him easily. She is just about to mention this when she hears the shriek.
*+1traps
Seeing what is assaulting Callen, she pulls one of two of her concealed daggers and readies herself. With everyone crowding the poor, undead dwarf and getting in the way, she can't really throw anything and hope to see it hit, despite it likely not knowing she is there. She remains hidden behind the pew.
Meraati steps 5ft into the chapel, starting a small limerick about whacking around skeletal foes.
Do.. do you need my help? Amelia calls, torn between staying with Aravashneil and moves to help the others.
"That would depend on what you can do!" Nicolette responds to the call out of Amelia. Her hesitation doesn't fill Nicolette with hope for a great display of strength from the girl.
Missy's radiant glowing hand strikes the undead dwarf from behind, and it howls out in dark fury is her blessed power threatens to destabilize its form.
Callen struggles to bring his mace to bear, but is unprepared for the dwarf's attack and has little effect with his swing.
Nicolette moves around the outside of the room trying to gain a clear vantage point on her target while Kevin rushes into the building.
TJoska swings her heavy long sword down powerfully in an overhand chop, successfully cleaving into the shoulder bones and down through the ribs. With any otherworldly rasp, the creature cries out then crumples, a pile of bones in an old, tattered robe. The dead dwarf's hammer falls to the floor beside it.
Outside, while Amelia awaits some response from her new allies, each of the other individuals responds according to their nature. Anevia looks clearly nervous, though like an experienced individual, draws her short bow and begins scanning for other threats. Aravashnial turns toward Amelia, a ting of anxiety in his voice, "What is it? What is the threat? I need to know so I can best instruct you." Meanwhile, Horgus Gwerm, clearly uncomfortable, cries out, "Blast it all, don't get yourselves all killed in there! How else will I get back to my home?!"
What at a distance had looked like a dark cloth over the front of the altar is in fact the stain of an old, dried dark liquid. On the floor in front of the altar are three items: the knocked over candle, a holy symbol to Torag, and a dagger, stained with the same dried liquid.
The skeleton belongs to a dwarf. The robes are old and moth-bitten, but would've fit the body in life. Other than a few wisps of hair, no soft tissue remains, suggesting the dwarf died a long time ago. Most telling, there is a dark stain on the chest of the robe, just below the neck. The warhammer is of exceptional craftsmanship and balance.
Joska takes a step back and eyes the pile of bone and cloth on the floor critically.
"I figure this is the second time dead at least. Do you think it will stay that way now?"
Missy lets out a sigh, looking back over her shoulder towards the door and shouting. "It's been dealt with, you all can come inside now!" Turning back to Joska, she gave a shrug of her shoulders. Even as she turned to go inspect Callen's wounds, she turned her mind to what she knew of the undead. Was there a chance for it to come back to life after being put down in such a fashion? What even was it?
"Yes. It's fine now." she reaffirms to both Amelia and the other gentlemen. "No one is injured. It was just a poorly undead guardian of Torag at this shrine."
She tilts her head, looking over the bones and such.
"Okay, there is a dark stain here," she points out as she investigates the scene. "perhaps old blood. Let's see. A knocked-over candle. A symbol of Torag, likely stained with blood too. Judging from the rate of decay on this body, I'd say he's been here a long time. He was stabbed here, just below the neck."
It is clear that the medic is very perceptive of the scene.
"My guess is whoever killed him, did so from behind without his knowledge. By his own will or Torag's will for vengeance, he returned to unlife, but his quarry has been long gone. Come, let us restore this shrine to its proper form."
That would involve returning the candle and relighting it, cleaning the holy symbol and floor with a prestidigitation spell if someone has it, and placing the bones in honor at the feet of the shrine perhaps?
"This warhammer is of high quality and I wouldn't think Torag would wish it to remain here to waste away. It is probably dwarven made, and..." she holds it up for a moment, "of superior craftsmanship, and worth a significant amount."
Callen cringes as the mighty longsword cleaves the accursed dwarf in two. Breathing heavily, he exclaims, "by all that is holy, thank you both! I guess I was not quite as prepared for such an encounter. Thank you."
Callen rubs his chest and tries to adjust the padding of his armor. He then slips his mace back into his baldric and kneels down to look at both the corpse and the area around it.
He shakes his head, then looks at the stains on the robe. Turning, he sees the dagger and the similar stains on the altar. He pauses for a few moments, listening to Nicolette's assessment. A ring of pain hits his heart before he looks to Nicolette, Missy, Joska and the others piling in. "I don't know what this thing was, but... well... Would a priest of Torag... take his own life? And if so, would he be cursed to such a fate?"
Seeing the threat ended Kevin pondered for a moment what it was. He then glanced around for any more clues. He then looks at Callen and the others and says "It might be best for you to wait until both Joska and I are in position to back you up before exploring someplace on your own. I am glad you are unhurt though. Does anyone know what that was?"
Amelia and the three followers slowly make their way into the shrine's chapel following the call of all clear. Each slowly picks their way in, their behavior matching what you have known of them thus far.
Anevia moves slowly, protecting her leg while also checking for other possible threats. Content that there is no other danger, she sits down in a pew toward the back, a heavy weight seeming to come over her.
Anevia seems clearly more distraught than earlier, as though some additional troubles have been added on to her weary mind.
Aravashnial is ever the scholar, and begins questioning Amelia regarding the shrine and its lone occupant. "A shrine to Torag, you say? Hmm, how old would you estimate it to be? Are there any indicators as to when it was last used? What was this undead guardian like? What clues are left to be examined?"
Horgus stumbles in, almost as though he had to summon the courage to throw himself through the door. He glances up at the pile of fallen robes and bones, and scoffs. "Is that all? What, did one of you pull a long forgotten corpse out of a casket? This really does not seem to be the place to dally long..."
Hearing Callen's suggestion, you think back to working on the door - it had been barred from the inside - and begin to think that suicide could've been a definite possibility. You are about to share this piece of information when you notice a small block of stone toward the bottom of the altar that is of a different type, and is out of place.
As you examine the stained robes on the ground, you spot a small book, discarded and carelessly kicked underneath a pew in the second row.
"You know...maybe you are right, Callen. Perhaps that was why the door had been sealed?"
No matter how hard she tries to think of what the creature is, she struggles. "Idiot. I know I have read a lot about undead...what is it? It's on the tip of my tongue. Foolish useless girl. Just the name!"
"I don't know what it is, only what it used to be," she replies to Kevin. Where before there was confidence in her so great that it inspired others, now she seems deflated. In an effort to distract herself from her thoughts, she moves over toward Horgus and replies, "Oh no...we didn't do that. He had barred himself in here. Somehow then he became undead. But in actuality, you are probably right. We should press on here in a little bit. Let me see how you're doing quickly. Come, take a seat on this pew."
She knows a self-absorbed person when she sees one and gives him a little thrill and boost to his ego by showing him care again. As she dusts off the pew to make sure Horgus has a clean spot to sit, it is Nicolette's intention to give the deflated Anevia a few moments to rest. Perhaps she's tired? The medic now focuses on Horgus and will evaluate his wounds, as before, on a pew far from Anevia.
"Hmm, this walking has actually helped your wounds to heal a bit better with circulation. See here how I thought you were going to bruise to here? You've only bruised to here. That's great. By tonight, when I work to heal you further with magic, you should have just a little soreness tomorrow, but maybe not even that!"
Meraati moves over to Anevia and sits down next to her.
"Pardon me please for saying, but i get the distinct feeling you are most troubled, of the group. Would it unburden you if you were to talk about it, even if superficially? I'm a good listener."
A heavier weight comes on Callen's heart as Nicolette confirms his words. "I wonder what darkness befell such a servant of a good god that would compel him to commit such an act. Let us hope we do not find ourselves in such a state." Shaking his head, he begins to respectfully collect the robe and bones from the floor. 'No one deserves to be left this way,' he thinks to himself as he collects the dwarf's remains.
As he does, he notices the small book, and picks it up, tucking it under his arms. "Whatever this man was in the end, at some point he was a faithful servant of Torag. Perhaps we can lay him to rest in a manner that grants some peace."
The agitated nobleman seems flattered and relieved by Nicolette's ministrations. As you compliment his recovery, you see an air of confidence fill his face. Straightening his doublet, he puffs himself up a bit. "Oh yes, well, I come from a long line of hearty stock. No doubt my dutiful dedication to my health and fitness have granted me the ability to recover swifter than most men. And, of course, the careful care gifted by such a skilled physic as yourself." With a surprising bit of deftness, he unexpectedly takes your hand and gently kisses the back of it. With a glance back up that actually carries a hint of charm, he replies, "Thank you, kind lady."
Anevia looks at Meraati, tears glistening in her eyes. She leans over, putting her head on the tiefling's shoulder. "It's... my wife, Irabeth. She is a member of the Eagle Watch, they were on assignment at the Armasse observance. We were apart, and, I.. I don't know what happened to her. I am sure she charged the invading demons. I just, I don't know if she is even alive. And seeing this shrine, and this fallen priest, I'm, I'm afraid I will never see her again. I don't know if I have the will to go on...." she breaks into a heavy sob, clinging to Meraati's shoulder.
Aravashnial continues to try and question young Amelia, and seems to be becoming more frustrated by her lack of response. "Are you confused by what you see? Does the body have any flesh left upon it? Lass, is the scene so horrid that it has captured your tongue?"
You are faced with a strange quandary: if the dwarf did take his own life, it would be a serious affront to his faith in Torag. If not, and someone else killed him while he served a duty, it would be the opposite. Unsure of whether to entomb the corpse somewhere in the shrine, you think perhaps a simple burial, beneath the stone of the earth in the chamber, would be appropriate.
There is a blush on her cheeks at the compliment and kiss to her hand. She takes note of his deftness and wonders where it came from? Was it because he was charming her or because he was playing up his wounds? She assumed the latter but keeps it in mind given the accusations of the elf, Aravashnial.
"You are most welcome."
Nicolette recoils her hand after he is finished with it and she is only ashamed there is still some blood on the inner bend of her fingertips. Likely a remnant of dealing with the group initially. She rubs this off now as she returns to check on Callen and to aid him in whatever he needs, although her eyes are set on the tiefling and Anevia for a moment to make sure everything is alright. If Amelia hesitates to answer Aravashnial, she will do so quite boldly, describing everything that they see, as well as the condition of the body.
Meraati didn't know what to expect to hear, but that it would be sad was to be expected. Still, she puts an arm around Anevia's shoulder, rubbing it slowly to try and ease the woman's sorrow, like her mother did to her when she was little.
"I know what you mean, i suspect we all do. Different professions, but a shared uncertainty about our loved ones. And yet, if you would 'ear one, even if it sounds silly, i will share with you my own reason i go on."
She holds briefly to see if Anevia looks up, but even if not.
"Until i know with a 100 percent certainty an outcome, i can still 'ave 'ope. If anything, 'ave not many people come out on top of difficult challenges throughout 'istory?"
"The dwarf was alone, and without companions. You are not, and if your wife is a member of a large group, would they not also 'ave better chances when working together to survive, like we are doing now?
Of course, these are but my personal views on it, make of it what you would. Of course, and she chuckles, part of my optimism is great luck 'aving been on my own group's side a few times. I believe Lady Luck 'as 'er moments in aiding us mortals from time to time."
"If ever you need a listening ear, i am available."
Joska doesn't have anything to contribute to speculation about the undead priest, neither general knowledge of undead or Torag. Instead she goes back out to deliver the news of what was found and then done about it to those who haven't been instead the structure.
Hearing the elf questioning his guide anxiously, she decides to start with them. She also thinks she may be beginning to understand a little more about Aravashnial because of what she's hearing. She walks over and begins with "we believe the incident is over" to settle nerves.
"I believe the place is a small shrine or temple, not a crypt. There are pews inside, and I saw no sarcophagus. There was a moving corpse. His bones still held flesh, but it was extremely dried out, not fresh and rotting like that of a zombie."
"He wore the vestments of a priest of Torag, and the clothing showed old blood stains. He likely died of a stab wound that may have been self-inflicted. The door was barred from the inside and there are no signs of other bodies or creatures, so it seems a likely conclusion he died inside alone."
"He attacked our scout, the halfling Callan, on sight. Callan was mildly injured by a strike from its hammer, but he is fine. The undead corpse was quickly destroyed. It was first exposed to divine energy by Missy, which seemed to harm him. I then smashed him with my sword, less a cut than I crushing blow it seems since the body was reduced to dust and bone."
"Does this sort of creature sound familiar to you?" she asks the elf.
Unable to remember anything regarding the body, Missy lets out a small sigh. Looking around, she saw that she really... had nothing to do at the moment. Everything was being handled by other people. Glancing over at Callen, she walked over and looked at the altar. A place of faith so hidden away from the rest of the world. Why wasn't it known about? Was it forgotten? Sealed away? It didn't seem like the kind of place one would live at unless the remnant of that wood structure was a small abode for him. "S-So... After we bury him, at least we've got a place that we know is safe?"
When Missy mentions a safe place Kevin looks around, "Well, it could use a bit of a clean and maybe a reopening prayer to Torag. I don't think he'll be happy there was an undead priest living here." With that Kevin begins to straighten the pews and altar.